As we reported last month, the Magic Kingdom is adding another restaurant by returning an old space from Character Meet & Greets to its original food service purpose. Originally known as the Adventureland Verandah, it will return with a new theme, a larger kitchen (shared… Read More »Construction update on new Adventureland Restaurant
Walt Disney World’s 4th theme park is going through it’s largest expansion ever. It will add a whole new land based on James Cameron’s Avatar movies and new nighttime shows and entertainment. Today we check in on the progress at the new viewing areas for… Read More »Rivers of Light construction update from Disney’s Animal Kingdom
Today we have a big update from the last part of December focusing on Downtown Disney. It is now just a few months away from opening the first locations in “The Landing” and being renamed as Disney Springs. As you can see above, Disney Springs now appears to have an official seal. It’s on the boards that cover a few of the windows in “The Landing.” Elsewhere in The Landing, a lot of work has been done on The Boathouse restaurant.
Construction of the second garage is now underway. That also means all of the surface parking from on the Marketplace side is now closed. So after 5pm or on weekends park across the street at Team Disney. The surface lot behind Cirque Du Soliel is also open, but the new Parking Garage appears to be the best bet for easy and close parking to the Westside.
More than 20 photos from the most recent update below:
Read More »Downtown Disney / Disney Springs Construction Update from December 2014
We are back with another look at the progress on the Magic Kingdom Plaza / Hub expansion project. The total makeover will be completed in phases, with phase one being a widening of the bridge from Main Street to the Hub. This will allow Disney to hold viewing parties for parades and fireworks.
Subsequent phases will add a second ring of walkways around the hub allowing for easier pedestrian flow during the parades and fireworks, a more garden like feel to the hub, and a slight upgrade to the performance stage in front of the castle.
As part of this update, I’ve also included a look at changes going on backstage. Disney is in the process of lightly themeing the backstage alley that is used for heavy traffic periods to route guests behind Main Street. You can see how they’ve begun to color some of the facades.
If you can’t watch the short video above, there is a gallery of photos below the jump:
Walt Disney World’s Downtown Disney is in the middle of transforming into a larger complex to be called Disney Springs. The first area to open will be called “The Landing” and that’s where the majority of construction is taking place right now. However there are lots of other projects in and around the site.
The first of two parking garages is getting closer to being finished with some decoration going up on one side and access ramps appearing and the first signs of the off ramp from the I-4 Freeway also appearing. There’s also a lot of construction on the roads leading into and out of the area too.
Here’s the latest video with a look around the shopping and dining area construction
For those who can’t watch video, there is a huge gallery of photos below the jump:
Read More »Downtown Disney becoming Disney Springs – Construction Update – September 2014
Downtown Disney is in the middle of a transformation that will see it change its name to Disney Springs and add additional dining and shopping options. The first major new area to open will be “The Landing” in 2015, but there is construction going on… Read More »Downtown Disney to Disney Springs July 2014 Construction Update
All the Walls are Down at Seven Dwarfs Mine Train giving us our best view yet of the queue area, and finally revealing all the exterior track on the roller coaster. Sounds like a good excuse for our third update this April.
There was still quite a bit of finishing and touch up work going on. Among some painting and landscaping, Imagineers were tinkering with the new interactive queue elements and the ubiquitous on-ride photo was being installed while we were there. Cast members are telling guests it will open sometime next month. However, media have been invited for a ribbon cutting ceremony to be held on May 2nd. Everything is subject to change, of course.
There are a few elements around the track that have me worried. It looks like they’ve jury-rigged evacuation lighting around part of the track. They might have to make that more permanent before it can open to guests. But the good news is they have been testing the coaster with people, and even filmed a commercial recently.
Here’s some video taken of newly opened areas:
I hope they’re able to open it soon, it looks amazing. Head below the jump for a huge gallery of photos of the newly exposed areas.
Read More »All the Walls are Down at Seven Dwarfs Mine Train – April Construction Update #3
New garage is rising on the Westside
Walt Disney World’s Downtown Disney is the main shopping, dining, and night time entertainment area for the resort. Over the years it has seen a few transitions, but current project promises change on a new scale – mostly upscale, as it turns out.
As part of Disney’s efforts to add more elements that appeal to families with, how shall we say it, extra-spending cash, Downtown Disney will become Disney Springs and bring with it new upscale shopping, high end dining experiences, and new entertainment options. To go along with the increased expectation in crowds, Disney is adding new parking garages as well.
I recently stopped by to grab some photos and video of the transition and was amazed at how much work is going on already. So much, in fact, that I’ve had to split this update into two parts.
Part one today looks mostly at the concept art that’s up around Downtown Disney and a few of the projects going on on the Westside of Downtown Disney. Tomorrow, we’ll dive into changes at Pleasure Island (soon to become the “waterfront district”) and the Marketplace (where Downtown Disney got its start).
Read More »Disney Springs Construction Update – April 2014 – Part I